Philip GRACE, b. 1843
Philip Grace, living on section 33, Monroe township, is numbered among the public men of the county and is now serving on the board of supervisors. His worth and progressive citizenship is of value in the community and his efforts in behalf of the general welfare have been effective and far-reaching. He has made
his home in the county since 1885, and is now farming a neat, productive tract of land of two
hundred and forty acres. He was born in
Kendall county, Illinois, November 13, 1843, a
son of James and Cecelia (Hollinshead) Grace,
the former a native of Ireland, whence he
emigrated to New York and afterward to Illinois,
where, he engaged in farming. He was
married in the latter state to Miss Hollinshead, a
native of New York, and in 1864 the family
removed to Iowa, settling in Mahaska county.
There were eight children, who were reared in
this state.
Philip Grace is the eldest of the family and
spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon
the home farm, attending the common schools
and aiding in the labors of the fields. He was
eighteen years of age when he enlisted in behalf
of the Union cause, becoming a member of
Company K, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. The
regiment rendezvoused at Chicago and thence went
to Memphis, Tennessee, its first battle being at
Chickasaw Bluffs, Mississippi. From there
the command proceeded to Arkansas Post, and
afterward participated in the siege of
Vicksburg and the battle of Champion Hills, Mr.
Grace was wounded at Vicksburg on the 19th
of May, 1863, and was so seriously injured that
for six months he lay in the hospital. He then
rejoined his regiment at Big Shanty, Georgia,
on the 16th of June, 1864, and two days later
he participated in the charge at Little Kenesaw
Mountain, where several officers of the brigade
were either killed or wounded. Later he took
part in the battle of Atlanta on the 22d of July,
1864, and on that date was captured and sent
to Andersonville prison, where he remained for
ninety-two days, knowing all of the hardships
and horrors of that southern prison pen. At
length he was exchanged at Jonesboro, Georgia,
and with his old company went with Sherman
on the celebrated march to the sea. Later the
regiment went to Washington and was
mustered out, after which he returned to Chicago,
where he was honorably discharged in June,
1865. He was a brave soldier although but a
boy when he enlisted and is familiar with all
of the hardships, privations and dangers meted
out to those who defended the Union.
After his return to the north Mr. Grace
spent a few days in Kendall county, Illinois,
at his childhood's home, and then came to Iowa,
joining his father's family, who in 1864 had
removed to this state. For fourteen years he
engaged in the operation of a rented farm and
then purchased sixty-two acres on North river,
where he built a goad home and further
improved his farm.
In November, 1870, Mr. Grace was united
in marriage to Miss Sarah L. Wymore, a
native of Mahaska county and a daughter of
William Wymore, who was born in Indiana, and
came to this county at an early day, settling
upon the farm where Mr. Grace now resides.
After a time Mr. Grace sold his sixty-two acres
of land and Mrs. Grace inherited a portion of
her father's farm, and Mr. Grace purchased
the remainder from the other heirs. Since that
time he has added eighty acres and now has a
splendid property of two hundred and forty
acres. He has placed many excellent
improvements upon the farm, has cleared and fenced
the land and has his fields under a high state
of cultivation. He has also dug a deep well,
furnishing an abundant supply of water, has
erected good buildings and has cleared seventy
acres from the brush. Everything about his
place is well kept, showing his careful
supervision and practical methods and he is regarded
as one of the successful farmers of his county.
Mr. Grace has lost his first wife. There
were eight children by that marriage, six of
whom are now living: James W., a resident of
Hastings, Oklahoma; Fred, who resides in
Adams township; John, in Madison township;
Theresa Aelene, the wife of George Kirk, of
Madison township; and Elam and Henry, who
are carrying on the home farm. For his
second wife Mr. Grace chose Miss Ella McCloud,
a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Albert McCloud, who is still living in this county. Six children have been born of the second marriage, but the eldest, Herbin, died at the age of four years, and Mary passed away a year later. The others are Maggie, Madge and Maud, twins, and Emory.
Mr. and Mrs. Grace attend the Union church and Mr. Grace is a member of the Grand Army
post at Rose Hill. He is likewise connected with the Odd Fellows lodge at that place and he and his wife are members of the Rebekah lodge, while his sons Elam and John, are likewise connected with the Odd Fellows lodge. Politically Mr. Grace is a strong republican, having supported the party since attaining his majority. He has served in some township offices, the duties of which he has discharged in a capable manner, and in January, 1906, he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the hoard of supervisors, so that he is the present incumbent in the office. In all matters of citizenship he is as loyal as when he followed the old flag upon the southern battlefields and he belongs to that class of citizens who uphold the political, legal and moral status of the community.
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from Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa by Manoah Hedge
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1906
Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy
Iowa Genealogy
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